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P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors are highly localized on peripheral and central processes of sensory afferent nerves, and activation of these channels contributes to the pronociceptive effects of ATP. A-317491 is a novel non-nucleotide antagonist of P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor activation. A-317491 potently blocked recombinant human and rat P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor-mediated calcium flux ( K i = 22–92 nM) and was highly selective (IC 50 >10 μM) over other P2 receptors and other neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, and enzymes. A-317491 also blocked native P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Blockade of P2X 3 containing channels was stereospecific because the R -enantiomer (A-317344) of A-317491 was significantly less active at P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors. A-317491 dose-dependently (ED 50 = 30 μmol/kg s.c.) reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat. A-317491 was most potent (ED 50 = 10–15 μmol/kg s.c.) in attenuating both thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia after chronic nerve constriction injury. The R -enantiomer, A-317344, was inactive in these chronic pain models. Although active in chronic pain models, A-317491 was ineffective (ED 50 >100 μmol/kg s.c.) in reducing nociception in animal models of acute pain, postoperative pain, and visceral pain. The present data indicate that a potent and selective antagonist of P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors effectively reduces both nerve injury and chronic inflammatory nociception, but P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor activation may not be a major mediator of acute, acute inflammatory, or visceral pain.

One subtype of ATP-gated ion channel, the P2X(3) receptor, is expressed primarily on peripheral sensory neurons. While it is known that P2X(3) receptors can participate in certain forms of nociceptive signaling, their involvement in neuropathic pain transmission is not known. We have examined the expression and function of P2X(3) receptors in a rat spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain. Fourteen days following L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation, the corresponding dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were removed from animals exhibiting mechanical allodynia, and these were studied using immunohistochemical and electrophysiological techniques. Using a polyclonal antibody to label the P2X(3) receptor, a significant reduction in neuronal P2X(3) immunoreactivity was observed in the ipsilateral (injured) L5 and L6 DRG following nerve ligation. In vitro electrophysiological analysis of acutely isolated DRG neurons revealed a similar decrease in functional P2X(3)-containing receptors. In small diameter (22-25 micro m) neurons, a significant reduction in the number of cells exhibiting a response to alpha,beta-meATP was observed. However, a subset of small diameter neurons retained P2X(3) responses of equal amplitude to those recorded from naive and sham control DRG neurons. Interestingly, P2X(3) immunoreactivity and P2X(3)-like responses were also detected in a subset of larger diameter (50 micro m) neurons and the number and amplitude of these responses were unchanged after spinal nerve ligation. These results suggest that, while there appears to be a decrease in fast desensitizing P2X(3) receptors following L5/L6 nerve ligation injury, certain subsets of small and large DRG neurons maintain normal P2X(3) receptor expression and function. These remaining receptors may provide a P2X(3) receptor-mediated component to neuropathic pain.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare a diverse set of peptide and small-molecule calcium channel blockers for inactivated-state block of native and recombinant N-type calcium channels using fluorescence-based and automated patch-clamp electrophysiology assays. Methods The pharmacology of calcium channel blockers was determined at N-type channels in IMR-32 cells and in HEK cells overexpressing the inward rectifying K + channel Kir2.1. N-type channels were opened by increasing extracellular KCl. In the Kir2.1/N-type cell line the membrane potential could be modulated by adjusting the extracellular KCl, allowing determination of resting and inactivated-state block of N-type calcium channels. The potency and degree of state-dependent inhibition of these blockers were also determined by automated patch-clamp electrophysiology. Results N-type-mediated calcium influx in IMR-32 cells was determined for a panel of blockers with IC 50 values of 0.001–7 μM and this positively correlated with inactivated-state block of recombinant channels measured using electrophysiology. The potency of several compounds was markedly weaker in the state-dependent fluorescence-based assay compared to the electrophysiology assay, although the degree of state-dependent blockade was comparable. Conclusions The present data demonstrate that fluorescence-based assays are suitable for assessing the ability of blockers to selectively interact with the inactivated state of the N-type channel.

The aim of this study was to compare a diverse set of peptide and small-molecule calcium channel blockers for inactivated-state block of native and recombinant N-type calcium channels using fluorescence-based and automated patch-clamp electrophysiology assays. The pharmacology of calcium channel blockers was determined at N-type channels in IMR-32 cells and in HEK cells overexpressing the inward rectifying K(+) channel Kir2.1. N-type channels were opened by increasing extracellular KCl. In the Kir2.1/N-type cell line the membrane potential could be modulated by adjusting the extracellular KCl, allowing determination of resting and inactivated-state block of N-type calcium channels. The potency and degree of state-dependent inhibition of these blockers were also determined by automated patch-clamp electrophysiology. N-type-mediated calcium influx in IMR-32 cells was determined for a panel of blockers with IC(50) values of 0.001-7 μM and this positively correlated with inactivated-state block of recombinant channels measured using electrophysiology. The potency of several compounds was markedly weaker in the state-dependent fluorescence-based assay compared to the electrophysiology assay, although the degree of state-dependent blockade was comparable. The present data demonstrate that fluorescence-based assays are suitable for assessing the ability of blockers to selectively interact with the inactivated state of the N-type channel.

Rapid desensitization of ligand‐gated ion channel receptors can alter the apparent activity of receptor modulators, as well as make detection of fast‐channel activation difficult. Investigation of the antagonist pharmacology of ATP‐sensitive homomeric P2X3 receptors is limited by agonist‐evoked fast‐desensitization kinetics. In the present studies, chimeric receptors were created using the coding sequence for the N‐terminus and the first transmembrane domain of either the nondesensitizing human P2X2a or fast‐desensitizing P2X3 receptor joined to the sequence encoding the extracellular loop, second transmembrane domain, and C‐terminus of the other receptor (designated P2X2–3 and P2X3–2, respectively). These clones were stably transfected into 1321N1 astrocytoma cells for biophysical and pharmacological experiments using both electrophysiological and calcium‐imaging methods. Chimeric P2X2–3 and P2X3–2 receptors were inwardly rectifying and agonist responses showed desensitization properties similar to the wild‐type human P2X2a and P2X3 receptors, respectively. The P2X2–3 chimera displayed an agonist pharmacological profile similar to the P2X3 wild‐type receptor being activated by low concentrations of both ATP and α,β‐meATP. In contrast, the P2X3–2 chimera had markedly reduced sensitivity to both agonists. The P2X3 receptor antagonists TNP‐ATP and A‐317491 were shown to be potent, competitive antagonists of the P2X2–3 chimera (Ki=2.2 and 52.1 nM, respectively), supporting the hypothesis that rapid receptor desensitization can mask the competitive antagonism of wild‐type homomeric P2X3 receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 202–210. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705411

P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors are highly localized on peripheral and central processes of sensory afferent nerves, and activation of these channels contributes to the pronociceptive effects of ATP. A-317491 is a novel non-nucleotide antagonist of P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor activation. A-317491 potently blocked recombinant human and rat P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor-mediated calcium flux ( K i = 22–92 nM) and was highly selective (IC 50 >10 μM) over other P2 receptors and other neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, and enzymes. A-317491 also blocked native P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Blockade of P2X 3 containing channels was stereospecific because the R -enantiomer (A-317344) of A-317491 was significantly less active at P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors. A-317491 dose-dependently (ED 50 = 30 μmol/kg s.c.) reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat. A-317491 was most potent (ED 50 = 10–15 μmol/kg s.c.) in attenuating both thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia after chronic nerve constriction injury. The R -enantiomer, A-317344, was inactive in these chronic pain models. Although active in chronic pain models, A-317491 was ineffective (ED 50 >100 μmol/kg s.c.) in reducing nociception in animal models of acute pain, postoperative pain, and visceral pain. The present data indicate that a potent and selective antagonist of P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptors effectively reduces both nerve injury and chronic inflammatory nociception, but P2X 3 and P2X 2/3 receptor activation may not be a major mediator of acute, acute inflammatory, or visceral pain.

P2X3and P2X2/3receptors are highly localized on peripheral and central processes of sensory afferent nerves, and activation of these channels contributes to the pronociceptive effects of ATP. A-317491 is a novel non-nucleotide antagonist of P2X3and P2X2/3receptor activation. A-317491 potently blocked recombinant human and rat P2X3and P2X2/3receptor-mediated calcium flux (Ki= 22-92 nM) and was highly selective$(IC_{50} > 10\\;\\mu M)$over other P2 receptors and other neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, and enzymes. A-317491 also blocked native P2X3and P2X2/3receptors in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons. Blockade of P2X3containing channels was stereospecific because the R-enantiomer (A-317344) of A-317491 was significantly less active at P2X3and P2X2/3receptors. A-317491 dose-dependently (ED50= 30 μ mol/kg s.c.) reduced complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia in the rat. A-317491 was most potent (ED50= 10-15 μ mol/kg s.c.) in attenuating both thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia after chronic nerve constriction injury. The R-enantiomer, A-317344, was inactive in these chronic pain models. Although active in chronic pain models, A-317491 was ineffective$(ED_{50} > 100\\;\\mu mol/kg\\;s.c.)$in reducing nociception in animal models of acute pain, postoperative pain, and visceral pain. The present data indicate that a potent and selective antagonist of P2X3and P2X2/3receptors effectively reduces both nerve injury and chronic inflammatory nociception, but P2X3and P2X2/3receptor activation may not be a major mediator of acute, acute inflammatory, or visceral pain.